Author:Jo Middleton
A hilarious and totally relatable book about the adventures of a single mum, for fans of Catastrophe and Motherland. Readers of Why Mummy Drinks, Unmumsy Mum and The Single Mum's Wish List will love this debut novel from parenting blogger Slummy Single Mummy.
'You'll end up warming to Frankie so much that you'll be wishing you could crack open a bottle of prosecco with her in real life!' MIKE GAYLE, bestselling author of The Man I Think I Know
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January 3rd
Jaffa Cakes - 7. Times I was forced to watch a small child do a dance involving a dusty piece of ribbon found under the sofa - 4. Inappropriate thoughts about Zac Efron - undisclosed.
Single mum Frankie’s whole life revolves around her kids. But when your toddler has a more active social life, something has to change. Forget ‘me-time’, Frankie would settle for some adult conversation, and watching something other than the Disney channel.
The local playgroup may be ruled by Instagram mums with perfect husbands but Frankie accidentally forms a splinter group of single parents. After all, Mummy really needs a playdate of her own. (Now pass the prosecco.)
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WHAT READERS ARE SAYING
'As a mum of three I could totally relate to this novel on so many levels' - Titian
'Hilarious - made me laugh out loud' - Dominique
'Lots of funny anecdotes parents will recognise!' - Claire
'With shades of Bridget Jones, Frankie stumbles through life as a single mum' - Ann
'A very funny and realistic look at motherhood' - Katrina
This is both extremely funny and insightful. I loved every page
—— KATIE FFORDEA funny, fresh, debut with some real laugh out loud moments and you'll end up warming to single Mum Frankie so much that you'll be wishing you could crack open a bottle of prosecco with her in real life!
—— MIKE GAYLEA great-big glorious giggle from start to finish. I loved Jo Middleton's debut and can't wait for the next one
—— CHRISSIE MANBYIt’s hilarious … captures the reality of motherhood and the huge range of emotions that it brings.
—— Ireland AMHold On to Your Kids is full of easy tips for avoiding calamity
—— TimesEVERY parent should read this book, however old their child. In fact, any adult in a relationship should read it too. Distilled in less than 250 pages is a road map to healthy relationships. Required reading
—— ExpressNot got kids? It doesn't matter, as the wonderful psychotherapist Philippa Perry's latest book is actually about using our pasts to understand ourselves (...) it's also an excellent book for reminding yourself: life is hard and you're doing your best - so try not to beat yourself up for everyday mistakes
—— StylistSo clear and true ... can't stop recommending it to people ... helpful for all relationships in life, not just parent-child
—— Nigella LawsonNot got kids? It doesn't matter, as the wonderful psychotherapist Philippa Perry's latest book is actually about using our pasts to understand ourselves and how we react to situations that test our patience and emotions. She explains that these sharp reactions might well be down to what happened in our childhoods - and the flashpoints that these emotions can stir up makes for fascinating reading whether you're actively parenting or not. It's also an excellent book for reminding yourself: life is hard and you're doing your best - so try not to beat yourself up for everyday mistakes
—— StylistIf you're determinedly not a self-help kind of reader (like me), make an exception for [this book]. And if you're not a parent, don't dismiss it. The message is one of non-judgemental kindness. The sophisticated psychoanalytical version of my "count to ten and then say something kind" advice to my kids (and myself) when things start to fall apart
—— VogueAs a mother of a three year old, I have an aversion to the endless saccharine social-media posts about parenting. Perry's book is the antithesis of all that - practical and logical
—— EllePhilippa Perry goes through each stage of parenthood, from pregnancy to the teen years, suggesting emotional techniques that will help you to have a strong and healthy relationship with your babies and yourself
—— Mother & BabyIt gave me hope as a new parent that whatever learnt behaviour you've got from your mum and dad (...) you can learn from that but it doesn't have to stay with you
—— Babita Sharma, BBC NewsIn fact, I'd say Philippa Perry is one of the wisest, most sane and secure people I've ever met
—— Decca Aitkenhead, Sunday Time Magazineshe writes with an inquisitive elegance rarely found in parenting guides (...) the book is still firm with parents but also forgiving (...) it is forgiving and persuasive - God, it's persuasive. I've yet to meet a parent who hasn't altered their parenting to some degree after reading it, myself included
I'm going to be honest Philippa, this has genuinely had such a positive impact on my life and my relationship with my daughter - so thank you very much for that
—— Josh WiddicombeA wise book on parents and children
—— The TimesThe main message is that is that it's best to acknowledge, rather than dismiss, children's feelings (...) and that parenting is not about perfection
—— i NewspaperThis is a book to be read cover to cover, like a novel. Buy yourself two copies: one for reading and one for use in the kitchen
—— Constance Craig Smith , Daily Mail, **Books of the Year**The main message is that is that it's best to acknowledge, rather than dismiss, children's feelings (...) and that parenting is not about perfection
—— iWeekend[Segal] is a natural, fluent writer and, in this book, the reader will feel confident in her hands even as she explores a shattering episode in family life… Segal is brilliant at conveying the tedium and the trials of life in the ICU and beyond. In short, Mother Ship is simply compelling
—— Anne Garvey , Jewish ChronicleHopeful, harrowing…and darkly funny, Mother Ship has you laughing, crying and frantically turning the pages to discover how it all turns out
—— Sarah Hughes , i[Segal’s] words are a powerful, poetic and deeply affecting reminder of how precious are life, health and the everyday
—— Daily ExpressSegal's moving memoir reveals not only what it takes to keep premature babies alive, but also what it means to be human and a mother
—— Vogue, *Summer reads of 2019*Mother Ship is a huge achievement for Segal, who has produced a memoir that promises to linger with you like a literary earworm… an extraordinary testament to the power of human survival
—— Jackie Annesley , Sunday TimesVivid, fearless and inspiring… This is an intimate and electrifying memoir. It is a hymn to the sustaining power of women's friendships, and a loving celebration of the two small girls – and their mother – who defy the odds
—— SheerLuxe, *Summer reads of 2019*A deeply moving, yet also witty and heart-warming account
—— Wendy Bristow , Planet Mindful, *Summer Reads of 2019*[Segal] captures beautifully the complexities and contradictions of the human body
—— Laura Hackett , Times Literary SupplementAn ode to the companionship of the women on the neonatal ward in the darkest, most volatile days, it is moving but never mawkish
—— Phoebe Luckhirst , Evening Standard, *Books of the Year*A song of praise to the beleaguered, indomitable NHS, with writing at such a pitch that it lingered with me all year
—— Olivia Laing , Observer, *Books of the Year*A heart-tugging account… this is one of the year’s most exquisitely written books
—— Claire Allfree , Metro, *Books of the Year*